Escambia Health Department: Be Prepared For Emergency Situations
September 15, 2013
September is National Preparedness Month, and the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County is encouraging households, businesses, and communities to prepare and plan for emergency situations.
The department says Escambia County residents should prepare for an emergency or natural disaster that may create the need to be self-reliant for three days without electricity, water service, access to supermarkets or local services, and even without response from police, fire, or rescue. An emergency preparedness plan can apply to several types of emergencies including natural disasters and terrorism.
The health department recommends these four important steps:
- Be Informed – Remember that hurricanes are not the only natural disasters that occur in Escambia County. Knowing what to do before, during and after an emergency or natural disaster is an essential part of being prepared. Remember to consider safety first.
- Make a Plan – Disasters may strike at any time so it is important to make a communications plan in advance. Remember to include how to contact family members and relocate to safe locations, together or apart. Make plans to respond to different situations.
- Build a Kit – A disaster supply kit consists of basic items that a household may need in the event of an emergency including food, water, medications, and other supplies. An emergency or natural disaster may not allow for time to collect these items, and local officials or relief workers may not be able to reach residents for days. Plan to have supplies that will last for at least 72 hours.
- Get Involved – There are many ways to get involved in emergency preparedness, and to learn how to make your family, home and community safer from emergencies or natural disasters. Volunteer for your local Medical Reserve Corps unit or the Community Emergency Response Team, or start a preparedness project within your neighborhood.
For more information on how to prepare for emergencies and natural disasters, visit www.ready.gov. Business owners in Escambia County can visit the Business section of the Ready website (www.ready.gov/business) to create a plan for his or her business and employees. For more information on public health preparedness in Escambia County, visit www.EscambiaHealth.com.
Trials Delayed In Lottery Store Murder, Robbery
September 15, 2013
Trial was set to begin Monday for the Alabama men that allegedly robbed and shot a Davisville lottery store owner last November. But now trials for both men accused of the murder have been delayed, according to Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille.
Jury selection was set to begin Monday morning in the trial of 21-year old Brent Dewayne Lambeth and 25-year old Malcolm McGhee Jr. A continuance was granted Friday by Judge Linda Nobles until November for McGhee. A continuance was also granted for Lambeth, but his new trial date was not immediately reflected in court records.
Lambeth and McGhee remain in the Escambia County Jail without bond, charged with first degree murder and robbery with a firearm for the shooting death of 74-year old Thomas “Tommy” Kroll during a robbery on November 6, 2012, at the State Line O’ Yes Lotto on Highway 97.
Investigators said McGhee and Lambeth targeted Kroll’s business because they had previous purchased “Spice” there and the duo intended on robbing the store of more of the synthetic marijuana.
Pictured top and bottom: The scene outside the State Line O’ Yes Lotto on Highway 97 following the murder of store owner Thomas Kroll on November 6, 2012. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Lawmaker Says Drop Out Of State Customers From Citizens Insurance
September 15, 2013
Out-of-state residents who own property in Florida may again be the target of legislative efforts to further reduce the number of policies at the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp.
Rep. Bill Hager, R-Delray Beach, said that lawmakers next year could discuss prohibiting people who don’t live in Florida from being eligible for coverage from Citizens.
“During the 2013 legislative session, my colleagues in the Florida Legislature and I made some necessary, forward progress to reform Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp,” Hager said in a news release. “However, the figures of current out-of-state and out-of-country policies are evidence that there is still more work to be done.”
Hager, vice chairman of the House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee, was responding to the Stronger Safer Florida Coalition, which questioned Florida property owners “subsidizing” nearly 180,000 Citizens policies that are held by people who live out-of-state.
The coalition includes the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Florida and the Florida Wildlife Federation.
A similar proposal was discussed during the 2013 session but was not included in a final package directed at revamping and reducing the size of Citizens. The state-backed company had 1.22 million policies as of July 31.
by The News Service of Florida
Weekend Gardening: What To Do In September Calendar
September 15, 2013
Here’s the September gardening calendar from the UF/IFAS Extension Service.
WHAT TO PLANT
- Bedding Plants — If summer beds need refreshing,try ageratum, celosia, zinnia, and wax begonia for color into fall.
- Bulbs — Add color, texture, and pattern to the garden with the many varieties of Elephant’s Ear (Alocasia) available now. Others to plant now include calla, narcissus, and zephyr lily.
- Herbs — Plant herbs that tolerate the warm temperatures of early fall, such as Mexican tarragon, mint, rosemary, and basil.
- Vegetables — Plant cool season vegetable crops such as radish, carrot, cabbage, and lettuce.
WHAT TO DO IN SEPTEMBER
- Lawn problems — Continue to monitor the lawn for signs of insect damage. Fall armyworms, chinch bugs, mole crickets, and sod webworms are still active this month.
Fertilize lawns — Bahia, Bermudagrass, Zoysia, and St, Augustine lawns should be fertilized this month. Choose one with no or very little phosphorus unless a soil test indicates a need for it. A fertilizer containing controlled-release nitrogen will give longer lasting results. - Lawn Weeds — Healthy grass is the best defense against weeds. Avoid “weed and feed” products; only apply herbicides to areas with weed infestations.
- Flowering perennials — Firebush, firespike, russelia, and other perennials supply nectar for visiting hummingbirds.
- Vegetable gardens — If not done in August, prepare the fall vegetable garden. Using transplants from your local garden center will get the garden off to a fast start, but seeds provide a wider variety from which to choose
WHAT TO DO EVERY MONTH
- Adjust irrigation based on rainfall.
- Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms.
- Monitor the garden for insects and disease.
- Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials and water until established
Dept. Of Corrections Ends Cigarette Ban In Work Camps
September 15, 2013
Corrections officials quietly reversed a blanket ban on tobacco at prisons this summer and are now allowing inmates at work release centers to have up to 10 packs of cigarettes each.
Department of Corrections officials say they lifted the prohibition on tobacco-related products in the work release programs because they didn’t want prisoners so close to completing their sentences to have to go back behind bars for breaking the rules.
But the American Lung Association called the move a mistake.
“I’m surprised,” said Brenda Olsen, chief operating officer of the American Lung Association in Florida. Olsen said it’s incumbent state agencies to “set a good example” by barring or limiting tobacco use.
The switch comes less than two years after DOC made all tobacco-related products off-limits at prisons, work camps and work release centers on Sept. 30, 2011.
“The decision to eliminate smoking and tobacco use was made to reduce the medical cost associated with exposure to tobacco, and eliminate second hand smoke exposure to non-smokers,” the agency said in April 2011, when the ban was announced. The ban also applied to prison workers, who are not allowed to bring cigarettes into facilities, and to visitors. Death Row prisoners are allowed to buy two packs of smokeless tobacco products per week.
The federal Bureau of Prisons and more than half of the other states also ban tobacco in prisons, but the prohibitions have created a new demand for cigarettes, a valuable commodity behind bars. According to some reports, inmates in New York City jails are paying up to $200 for a pack of smokes.
During a six-month period shortly after the Florida ban went into effect, nearly 30,000 inmates or prison workers were caught with some sort of tobacco contraband, according to DOC’s annual report. The report does not say how many of the culprits were staff and how many were prisoners.
The new work camp rule went into effect on June 13 and allows the roughly 3,800 inmates in work programs to have up to 10 packs of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products or 20 cigars, plus one disposable lighter.
The rationale: Inmates on work release can get access to cigarettes, chewing tobacco or other products while they’re in the community.
“The Department determined, after assessment, that it was a better use of resources to not find an inmate in violation, which would potentially cause him/her to go back into prison, for possession of tobacco when so far along in the process of transitioning back into the community, hopefully as a productive citizen,” DOC spokeswoman Jessica Cary said.
Cary said there were “quite a few such incidents” of inmates being sent back to prison for sneaking smokes or other tobacco products into work release centers but no data was immediately available about how widespread the problem is. Prison guards and other staff have also been caught providing contraband tobacco products to prisoners, Cary said.
But making sure prisoners are tobacco-free before they are sent home would help them live healthier lives and save them money once they are released, Olsen said.
“We know how addictive tobacco products are,” Olsen said. “This is a great opportunity for these people to start their journey on having a smoke free life.”
By The News Service Of Florida
Pictured: Tobacco products are still banned inside Florida’s prisons, like the Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
This Week’s HS Football Schedule
September 15, 2013
Here’s a look at this week’s high school football schedules for teams around the area:
FLORIDA
Thursday
- *Catholic at Bay, 7 p.m.
Friday
- *West Florida at Mosley, 7 p.m.
- West Gadsden at Tate, 7:30 p.m.
- *Escambia at Pine Forest, 7:30 p.m.
- *Washington at Pace, 7:30 p.m.
- *Milton at PHS, 7:30 p.m.
- Crestview at Navarre, 7:30 p.m.
- OPEN: Northview, Jay, Gulf Breeze
* denotes district games
ALABAMA
- UMS Wright at Escambia County (Atmore)
- Sparta at Escambia Academy
- Mobile Christian at Flomaton
- Bayside Academy at T.R. Miller
- W.S. Neal at Southside
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Don’t Spend It All In One Place
September 15, 2013
In recent years, when they would hear the reports of lagging revenue and growing expenses, lawmakers would send a warning to agencies, special interests and anyone else listening: Don’t ask for more money. It isn’t there.
The warnings aren’t quite as dire this time, but the House and Senate budget chairs are still sending a similar message despite an $845.7 million projected surplus. The money might be there, but it’s not time to go on a spending spree.
That would at least seem to indicate that something is going to have to pay for the $500 million tax cut that Gov. Rick Scott is pitching across the state on a campaign-style swing less than a year ahead of the real thing, when he would presumably talk again about the $500 million tax cut.
Meanwhile, the campaign trail proved to be tricky for Attorney General Pam Bondi after she admitted asking the governor’s office to move an execution that conflicted with her campaign kickoff. And the state said goodbye to a man all too familiar with walking the trail.
READ MY LIPS: TAX CUTS MUST BE OFFSET
Scott spent much of his week zig-zagging the state to push for a tax whose details he doesn’t yet know. The governor has already said he will devote $500 million to reducing taxes and fees in his budget for the year that begins July 1, but has said he will solicit advice on how to get to that number.
That meant a four-day, five-city swing that took Scott to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando. The “It’s Your Money” Tax Cut Tour coincided with the week when lawmakers heard a presentation on how much extra money they will have for the next budget.
Right now, the number sits at $845.7 million, when high-priority items and a $1 billion reserve are factored in. But despite the extra funding — much of which is one-time money — legislative leaders are urging caution when it comes to big spending items.
Like $500 million tax cuts.
“Obviously the widely reported surplus is good news for Florida,” House Budget Chairman Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland, said in a statement. “But despite our healthy surplus, it is not cause for dancing in the streets. The Florida Legislature has made fiscally responsible decisions that have helped to improve Florida’s bottom line and I suggest that we not lose sight of our fiscal principles as we move forward.”
Senate Budget Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, sounded the same notes.
“In order to fund new priorities, initiatives, things that our constituents feel are important in 2013 and 2014, we’re going continue to have to have the discipline to review previous expenditures that were important to legislators who were duly elected in the 1990s and in 2000 and 2010,” Negron said.
But the GOP was likely to go along with Scott’s idea in the end, particularly in an election-year session, which means the concept will probably make it into next year’s budget. Democrats are already savaging the proposal, saying that it amounts to taking money that could be used on education and funneling it to the well-off.
“Instead of touting taxpayer giveaways that favor wealthy special interests and the politically connected, Governor Rick Scott and Republican legislative leaders should focus on the needs of working families,” said House Minority Leader Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale. “Rather than gimmicks, it’s time that Florida’s leaders get serious about better funding for public schools, community colleges and universities.”
BONDI’S SCHEDULING CONFLICT
Attorney General Pam Bondi, meanwhile, found herself in a controversy that made it all the way to the Rachel Maddow Show the week after it was revealed that she asked Scott to change the date of an execution because of a scheduling conflict with her campaign kickoff.
On Sept. 6, the News Service of Florida reported that the execution of death row inmate Marshall Lee Gore had been rescheduled from Tuesday, Sept. 10 to Oct. 1 because of Bondi’s campaign event.
By Monday, Bondi was already forced to say that she was wrong to ask Scott to push the date back to accommodate the event.
“As a prosecutor, there was nothing more important than seeing justice done, especially when it came to the unconscionable act of murder,” Bondi said in a release. “I personally put two people on death row and, as attorney general, have already participated in eight executions since I took office, a role I take very seriously.”
“The planned execution of Marshall Lee Gore had already been stayed twice by the courts, and we should not have requested that the date of the execution be moved,” Bondi added.
For his part, Scott said he wasn’t aware of why the attorney general had asked for Gore’s death to be delayed
“We set the date, the attorney general’s office asked for a postponement, so we went along with that,” Scott responded when asked Monday if he thought the reason for the delay was proper. “We try to comply with when other Cabinet members ask for something. We try to work with them.”
Gore, whose sanity has been the focus of efforts to block the execution, was convicted of killing two women in 1988 in Miami-Dade and Columbia counties.
Gore’s death warrant is for the murder of Robyn Novick, whose body was found in March 1988 in a rural area of Miami-Dade.
By the end of the week, Democrats — who have yet to round up an official challenger for Bondi — were already using the event to try to slam both the attorney general and the governor.
The Florida Democratic Party said it has submitted an open-records request for Scott, Bondi and several of Scott’s top aides to turn over anything dealing with the delay in the execution.
“Pam Bondi has demonstrated astoundingly bad judgment, putting partisan politics ahead of the most serious duty she has as Attorney General. But we know that’s not the full story,” said Joshua Karp, a party spokesman, in a press release. “Governor Rick Scott has refused to answer questions about his office’s involvement in this gross breach of the public trust, directing all inquiries back to Pam Bondi.”
Also on the hot seat this week was Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, who is in line to become the next Democratic leader in the House – but is facing some calls to step aside. Rouson, who already wasn’t unanimously supported by the caucus, ran into trouble most recently when two Democratic Party staffers were fired for helping him set up a separate fundraising arm for House Democrats. Top party officials worried about a lack of fundraising coordination, and Rouson backed down. But on Friday, the current House Democratic leader, Rep. Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, called a caucus meeting for later this month to clear the air – and let Rouson try to make his case for remaining leader-designate.
FAREWELL TO SHAW
There were also some notable comings and goings in the world of Florida politics, including the death of longtime congressman Clay Shaw.
Shaw, a Republican who served a mostly moderate coastal district from 1981 to 2007, died Tuesday at the age of 74 after a battle with lung cancer. Shaw won in 1980, as President Ronald Reagan easily defeated the incumbent Jimmy Carter, and was also a part of the GOP’s Contract with America that powered a congressional takeover in 1994.
Shaw, whose accomplishments included efforts to implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration plan, work on the 1996 Welfare Reform Act and introducing the Missing Children’s Act of 1982, was mourned by Republicans and Democrats.
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who served six years in the House with Shaw, called him “a great advocate and public servant” whose “greatest love was always his family.”
And U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., also praised Shaw.
“I will always fondly remember Clay Shaw from my time as mayor of West Palm Beach, as someone who you could work with in a bipartisan manner and as a true gentleman,” she said.
Shaw was unseated in 2006 by Democrat Ron Klein as part of a Democratic wave that temporarily ended GOP control of the House.
Also this week, Jerry McDaniel announced he would retire Dec. 31 from his position as budget director, which he held under both Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist. He will be replaced by Cynthia Kelly, a former top House and Senate budget staff member who has since 2010 worked as director of the Division of Administrative Services at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
And Jan Ignash, vice chancellor and chief academic officer for the State University System, was officially tapped Thursday to be interim chancellor until the Board of Governors can find a permanent replacement for Frank Brogan. Ignash is not expected to apply for the permanent position.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Legislative leaders called for caution about an $845.7 million surplus as Gov. Rick Scott toured the state touting his proposed $500 million tax cut.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I’m asking, before a person be judged and convicted in a rush to judgment, for the opportunity to appear in front of the caucus and lay out the strategy.”–Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, on calls for him to step aside from House Minority Leader-designate.
Girl’s Orange Juice Stand Benefits Liver Disease Patient
September 14, 2013
Shelby Godwin of Bratt has never met Wyatt Johnson, a 17-month old from Century who is suffering from a chronic liver disease. But she saw a fundraising flyer at CVS with Wyatt’s picture and was so emotionally touched by the young man that she wanted to do something to help him.
Her idea? A fresh orange juice stand along East Highway 4 in Bratt, under the shade trees in front of her house. The 10-year old used her own money to purchase the oranges and supplies for her little business venture and borrowed an old fashioned juicer from a friend of her mom.
Business wasn’t bad at all Friday afternoon.
“There was this man in a big ole pickup truck,” the young entrepreneur said. “He ordered a medium for $2, and he paid with a $20. I told him he didn’t need his change, so he donated it. Wyatt needs it more.”
Shelby’s orange juice stand will be open again next Friday and Saturday afternoons in the 5100 block of West Highway 4, almost directly across from the Bratt Assembly of God. A small fresh squeezed orange juice is $1 and a medium is $2. Donations are welcome and very much encouraged. All proceeds benefit Wyatt Johnson, son of Justin and Nicole Johnson of Century as he battles a liver disease and prepares for a possible transplant.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Davis Highway At I-10 Roadwork Set To Begin
September 14, 2013
The Florida Department of Transportation has awarded a $144,412 contract to Panhandle Grading & Paving, Inc. to make improvements on Davis Highway at the westbound I-10 on ramp in Pensacola.
Improvements will include construction of an additional free flow southbound lane onto the westbound I-10 on ramp from Davis Highway. Also, the outside southbound through lane on Davis Highway will be converted to a free flow lane. Crews will begin preparing for construction activities beginning Monday. Motorists can expect intermittent lane restrictions. However, work requiring lane closures will take place between 8:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded by FDOT to travel with care through the work zone and to watch for construction equipment and workers entering and exiting the roadway.
Local Hospitals, Doctors To Pay $3.5 Million For Improper Billing
September 14, 2013
Radiation oncology providers in Pensacola will pay $3.5 million to the government and the state of Florida to resolve allegations that they billed Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE – the health care program for uniformed service members, retirees and their families worldwide – for radiation oncology services that were not eligible for payment, the Justice Department announced late Friday.
The defendants include Gulf Region Radiation Oncology Centers Inc. (GRROC), Gulf Region Radiation Oncology MSO LLC, Sacred Heart Health System Inc., West Florida Medical Center Clinic P.A., Emerald Coast Radiation Oncology Center LLC (ECROC), Dr. Gerald Lowrey and Dr. Rod Krentel.
The government alleged that between 2007 and 2011, the defendants regularly billed for radiation oncology services that were not supervised by a physician, as required by Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE, and that, in fact, these services were often performed while the defendant doctors were on vacation or were working at another radiation oncology clinic. The government also alleged that the defendants billed for other treatment services even when patients’ medical records provided no evidence that the services were rendered. The defendants also allegedly billed twice for the same services and misrepresented the level of a service provided to increase their reimbursement from the federal health care programs.
“It is critical that federal health care beneficiaries receive care that is properly supervised,” said Stuart F. Delery, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to pursue companies and individuals that seek to boost their profits at the expense of taxpayers.”
Since December 2007, Sacred Heart Health System Inc. and West Florida Medical Center Clinic P.A. have been the sole shareholders of Gulf Region Radiation Oncology MSO LLC and GRROC. GRROC provides radiation oncology services at two locations in Pensacola. Sacred Heart was also a shareholder in ECROC, a radiation oncology center located in Destin, Fla., approximately 60 miles from Pensacola. Beginning in December 2007, Lowrey and Krentel, both radiation oncologists, began providing physician services at the GRROC clinics, and in June 2008, they began providing services at ECROC.
“Submitting false claims for medical services raises the cost of health care for all of us as patients and taxpayers,” said Pamela C. Marsh, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “Patients, employees and others who suspect billing fraud on the part of health care providers should not hesitate to report such fraud to federal authorities. Health care providers – both corporations and individuals – must be held accountable when they submit false information.”
The allegations resolved by today’s settlement were first raised in a lawsuit filed against the defendants under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act. The act allows private citizens with knowledge of fraud to bring civil actions on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery. As part of the settlement, the whistleblower, Richard Koch, who previously worked at GRROC, will receive approximately $609,796 from the federal share of the settlement amount.
In addition to the $3.5 million payment, defendants GRROC, Lowrey and Krentel entered into Integrity Agreements with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) intended to deter wrongful conduct in the future. The agreements require enhanced accountability and monitoring activities to be conducted by both internal and independent external reviewers.
“Patient care supervision is critical for ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries receive needed, top-quality care,” said Christopher B. Dennis, Special Agent in Charge, HHS-OIG, Office of Investigations, Miami Region. “Our increased investigative efforts in the Florida panhandle show that we will protect taxpayer-funded government health programs regardless of where perpetrators might be located.”